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Monday, 22 August 2016

Inspiration & Ideas For Helping Your Shy Child Come Out Of Their Shell

As parents, we worry constantly. If we’re not stressing about our children’s eating habits, we’re anxious about their behaviour. As a mum, I know all too well the stresses and worries that come with raising children. I also know that while some issues, such as refusing to eat green foods, can be easy to deal with, others can be somewhat challenging. Such as, helping your shy child to make friends and become more confident.

Believe it or not, a lot of children suffer from social anxiety and shyness. Often, this is something that in time, they’ll grow out of. However, there are a few ways that you can help and encourage your shy child to come out of their shell and grow their confidence. Below are a few ideas for helping your child to grow their self-esteem and become more sociable. If you’re worried about your child’s behaviour, take these on board and give them a try.

Set a good example

Social studies have shown that children learn by watching, so as a parent, it’s your job to be a good example to your child. When you bump into people at the supermarket or have guests over, aim to be as warm and friendly as possible. This will show your child how they should act around other people and will help to set a good example for them.

To reinforce this, play with your child using their toys and reenact situations. Such as bumping into the bear or rabbit family while at the swimming pool. Show your child how you would approach the situation and then let them have a go. For young children, play is one of the best ways to learn and understand acceptable social behaviours.

Enrol them in a performance art

One of the best ways to build confidence in kids is for them to learn a new skill or start a new activity. Performance arts can be a great option as not only will your child get to make new friends; they’ll also take part in productions. This is a great confidence booster, and should help your child to become more sure of themselves. Whether you enrol them in ballet school or drama club, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you find your child a new hobby to try that’s fun, allows them to make friends, and helps them to build confidence.

To make it easier for your child to adjust, use a step-by-step approach. The first week, take them to watch the class. The next week encourage them to join in for the last 10 minutes. And then, the week after, get them to do the whole class while you watch. Then, gradually leave for longer and longer periods, until your child is happy to attend dance or drama class on their own.

Praise your child

One of the most important things when it comes to raising your child’s confidence levels is praising them. If your little one is told how proud you are of them when they do something well, they’ll start to become more confident. Whether it’s reading aloud to you or doing a dance on stage, if they do well make sure to praise them. Even if they don’t do well, be careful of what you say, as for shy kids, criticism can easily set them back.

When your child is shy, it’s never easy to get them to come out of their shell. However, with the right encouragement, you can help them to become more confident in social situations.